Presley went on to run seven half-marathons in 2013 followed by more than 21 half marathons and one full marathon in 2014.

“From there, I really got back into the swing of things,” she said.

By 2016, Presley completed marathons in Washington D.C. and Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and was back on track to running 50 marathons in 50 states, plus D.C.

She’s planning to run marathons in Maryland and Colorado later this year and is mapping out marathons in other states.

“I believe she will get there, said Pasadena Police Officer Donald Sevesind, a colleague, friend and fellow runner who just completed his 100th marathon in Los Angeles on March 24, and did so wearing his full uniform, including the hat, boots and weighty utility belt. “Nothing is going to stop her from achieving that goal.”

In September 2012, Presley had been home watching a movie with her boyfriend, now husband, Chris Dasaro, when she felt “a pop of pain” in her head.

She derives inspiration from other sources as well, including other runners who are brain aneurysm survivors.

“Really returning to running is what helped me recover as quickly as I did,” she said. “It was my therapy. It gave me a goal and I just focused on being the type of person I just wanted to meet and connect with.”